A significant 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Sunday, leading to the eruption of the Shiveluch volcano. The eruption sent ash clouds towering 5 miles into the sky, briefly triggering a “code red” warning for nearby aircraft.

Key Points

• Earthquake Details: The 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred 18 miles below the surface in the Pacific Ocean, about 63 miles east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a key naval base on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
• Volcanic Eruption: Following the quake, Shiveluch, one of Russia’s most active volcanoes, erupted, spewing ash over 5 miles high. The eruption was accompanied by the release of lava, with ash clouds extending roughly 930 miles east-southeast.
• Impact on Aviation: Due to the significant ash cloud, a “code red” warning was issued for aircraft, though no commercial flights were disrupted, and no damage to aviation infrastructure was reported.
• Tsunami Warning: The earthquake initially prompted a tsunami warning for coastal areas within 300 miles of the epicenter, but the threat was later lifted.
• Further Risk: Scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences warned of the potential for an even stronger earthquake in the region within the next 24 hours, with a possible magnitude approaching 9.0.